Artist's commentary
A while later, we began eating our somewhat cold food.
At first, it seemed rather difficult for Youmu to say anything, and I couldn't think of anything to say either, but Futo-chan began asking Youmu various things about herself and me. Judging by the way she talked about me, it seems she really didn't hold anything against me. While I was glad I hadn't lost a friend, I still wondered why such an otherwise gentle girl had become enraged enough to draw a knife. If she found something detestable, she would surely at least say something about it first; that's the kind of person she is. Did I do... or allow that to happen to her?
With dinner finished, I began to run a bath. I told Youmu to help herself to a bath before remembering that because I asked her out of nowhere to stay, she wouldn't have a change of clothes. "Um... I brought some..." she said, pulling some pajamas out of her bag (the one I didn't carry). I told her I was impressed by her preparedness, to which she let out an embarrassed "ah...haha" and smiled. So she planned to sleep over from the beginning... well, I don't really mind if it's Youmu.
"My lord..." Futo-chan called me as Youmu was in the bathroom. "I believe Lady Youmu's anger earlier was my fault. I myself have experienced a person I was long close to suddenly becoming friendly with a new person and neglecting me. I did not like it at all," she explained. "I believe Lady Youmu truly likes you as well... enough to brandish a blade. To tell you the truth, when you and Lady Youmu speak of things I do not know about, it makes me feel lonely. I am sure Lady Youmu also feels..." she trailed off with a hint of sadness. I tried thinking of an answer to what she said, but unable to settle my thoughts I could only pet her head and tell her, "It's not your fault." By the time Youmu got out of the bath, the bed was ready. "Lady Youmu, you should sleep with us tonight," Futo-chan invited. "Eh...?" Youmu uttered with a deep blush. That's right... to her, even if it's between friends, sharing a bed with the opposite sex is completely abnormal. "You are a friend of my lord, are you not? I myself also want to sleep with you," she grinned. "Y-yes, that's right... we are friends, after all..." Youmu replied with an unchangingly red face... to be continued